The Toll-Like Receptor 5 agonist flagellin prevents Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae -induced exacerbations in cigarette smoke-exposed mice

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The major bacterial cause of COPD exacerbations is non-typeable (NTHi). This susceptibility to infection involves a defective production of interleukin (IL)-22 which plays an important role in mucosal defense. Prophylactic administration of flagellin, a Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist, protects healthy mice against respiratory pathogenic bacteria. We hypothesized that TLR5-mediated stimulation of lung immunity might prevent COPD exacerbations due to NTHi. Mice were chronically exposed to cigarette smoke and then infected with NTHi. According our preventive or therapeutic protocol, flagellin was administered intraperitoneally. Cigarette smoke-exposed mice treated with flagellin showed a lower bacterial load in the airways, the lungs and the blood. This protection was associated with an early neutrophilia, a lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increased IL-22 production. Flagellin treatment decreased the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the lung damages related to exacerbation. Protective effect of flagellin against NTHi was altered by treatment with anti-IL-22 blocking antibodies in cigarette smoke-exposed mice and in mice. Flagellin treatment also amplified the production of the β-defensin2 anti-bacterial peptides. This study shows that stimulation of innate immunity by a TLR5 ligand is a potent antibacterial treatment in cigarette smoke exposed mice, suggesting innovative therapeutic strategies against acute exacerbation in COPD.